All about India!
This blog has been in the making for a while, and I am so excited to be finishing up the final touches. I know some of you have been waiting to hear all about India as God has put this country on my heart for the past two years. Can I first say how nervous I was going into this month, having NO idea what God was going to have for me there. I was worried that I might fall in love with this country and never want to leave. My only experience with India was talking to an operator with an Indian accent whom I was unable to understand, and all I had heard about India was how bad it smelt and how the people there had NO concept of personal space. That combination made India everything but appealing. I also was concerned that this may be where I meet the man of my dreams, or that I would have some epiphany that would change my life.
Going to India was a huge challenge due to many issues getting our visas approved, but regardless my squad and I still headed to the airport, trusting that God was going to take care of it. We received our visas along with our passports as we were in line checking in our bags. God is always on time, not usually early but never late.
I had anticipated that India was going to be a time of persecution, especially being on an all girls team and having read horror stories the month before about issues in India regarding women, therefore I was prepared to have my guard on, expecting to be pick-pocketed, spit on, and ready to hold my own.
Arriving in India was a relief as my anticipation was pleasantly proven wrong. This ended up being the easiest travel I had experience on the race. Praise The Lord I never got spat on, pick-pocketed, or put in the position of having to put anyone in their place (haha).
I greatly enjoyed India, the food there was unique, spicy and absolutely delicious, the attire the women wore was gorgeous, and the people were loving, friendly, and incredibly kind. This country was colorful and full of adventure, as we would have to play sherades with each auto driver we would encounter to get to our destination.
This month was filled with laughter, tears, realization, letting go, wrestling, and desire. The laughter came with the people I was surrounded with, the children I had the privilege to care of, the memories made, the unpredictable carnival, and the interactions with the stray monkeys. The tears came with saying goodbye to the people I fell in love with, the grieving of my brother, and the tenderness of The Lord. It was working with the children from the orphanage that made me realize how incredibly blessed I am, and how I don't deserve to be the one holding these children. This realization brought thankfulness and a different type of worship and perspective. God really pressed on my heart the quickness of life, and the love He has for me. He is so incredibly sweet as He knows exactly what we need. I remember having a rough day and on that day one of our favorite auto drivers brought me chocolate and flowers as he picked us up to get ice cream, such a sweet gift from the Lord! This month I finally let go of the plans I was holding onto, it was this month that God brought me to a deeper trust in Him, and a realization of what He has done for us and how His plans are better than mine. Desire came from knowing Him more and more, a desire to glorify Him, a desire to do physical therapy, and a deeper and intimate love for His children He placed in my hands. Working with the children from the orphanage brought such tenderness to my heart.
This was the hardest place for me to part from, filled with tears and uncertainty of when or if I will come back, this place was a place of blessing. Although I did not meet the man of my dreams, or get an epiphany, India has changed my life as it has brought a deeper connection and love for my God, something I will always be grateful for !
